From Rhino Reader James Bennett
Commissioner Alston is beginning to make the case that we must spend to prepare for all the jobs that are going to be created by Jet Zero and Boom Supersonic in the coming years.
The questions I have for Mr. Alston and the rest of the county commissioners are these:
What specific projects do you have in mind to prepare for expected growth?
What are the priorities for the projects you expect to spend tax money on?
What are the projected costs of the various projects you expect to fund?
What specific plans have been started for any projects currently in the works?
I am as excited as anyone about the prospects for continued growth offered by these two companies, but I am realistic enough to know that there is a long,twisted,rocky road between the vision and the successful reality for any new corporation, especially in the field of aviation.
Given that Jet Zero has not yet broken ground at the airport, and that Blue Supersonic still must get approval for their plane, I don’t think it is wise or prudent to get ahead of the game. Asking taxpayers today to believe that the dreams of these corporations and government leaders will come true is more risk than I am willing to take right now.
The prudent thing to do is to set a tax rate that meets the current needs of the county, allowing for normal growth. When these companies show real progress, such as Jet Zero breaking ground and hiring contractors, or Boom getting FAA approval, then it is time for the county to continue to meet proven needs. Before raising taxes, we need to see specific milestones passed from these companies that help assure their and our success.
James Bennett
James Bennett,
Every one of your points are spot on but the problem the County Commissars have is they make full sense.
I’m quite sure they are collectively asking one another hoe dare someone not only point out the obvious do it on a public forum.
Have you considered running for an At Large seat? I know the rest of the Commissars would treat you like a pariah but it would be nice to have at least ONE who will stand up and declare the Emperor, or in this case The Omnipotent, has no clothes.
Excellent questions Mr. Bennett. I wouldn’t expect Skip to give any valid answers. I believe you already know common sense is not used in Greensboro or Guilford County.
And for many of us, we won’t be alive to see either of those projects complete
Someone might want to send an article about Vinfast LTD to Skip so he can read it with his morning coffee.
These are good questions to ask and thanks for doing so but for the longest time our county commissioners have used scare tactics to try and convince the voter of our needs. These are not needs they are wants of the commissioners and there are huge differences between the two. We want our kids to have a great education, excellent teachers and a safe schools but when one looks at the payroll of the school system you find it bloated with high paid managers like our superintendent, assistant superintendents, extra principals and supervisors. They are the ones taking money out of the budget and we aren’t paying teachers, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cafeteria workers or anyone who really makes the schools and education great. Then they say the students need these things and the money to pay these people. When I was in business and hard times hit the president, VPs, and managers took pay cuts or flat pay to support the line workers this never happens in government.
What we need on our county and city councils are people who know the difference between wants and needs!!!! I hope this happens in our next elections!!!
Yeah, right… Guilford County is now known and avoided for having become another leftist stronghold, run by those who cater to and fund every ‘progressive’ and ethnic whimsy that comes down the pike. Given the recent attempted robbery of property owners by these tax and spend liberals, long term trends indicate a relocation by a lot of folks voting with their feet.
Absolutely. Just like I did and many in California are doing. People are beginning to figure out that they do have choices, difficult as they may be. The people in charge probably figure that with all of the new business moving in they can afford to lose some. Eventually, again like California, it will become too much for people to bear.
So glad I moved to a more reasonable location.
The Guilford County commissioners are tax and spend democrats, haven’t you people figured it out yet.
Does the Rhino still publish the salaries of Greensboro and Guilford County employees, (teachers, administrators, firemen, policemen, sheriff, and many others). I used to look forward to that information. I assume that it is a matter of public record. Always like to see where our tax dollars go to pay for those salaries/benefits.
We have not for a while but I think we will start doing this again for the top earners. Scott Yost.
Yes. Use resources like “Open the Books” to post municipal government pay (and maybe benefits). Simply reply to their Freedom of Informaion request for county information.
Thank you, Scott.
And thank you for being an honest, objective, and reliable (and mostly solitary) source of information about our how city, county, and community actually function and are doing.
I don’t know what the readership of the Rhino Times is or how you are supporting it and yourself, but your work is much needed and appreciated by those who read it.
Thank you.
The days of government by the people for the people ended when 21% of the population votes. You’ve been end up with government selected by cronies and special interest.
Great points Mr. Bennett, hopefully the commissioners will understand that current affordability is as important as future growth. We are already being gouged by Duke Energy and the gas companies.
Your government looks for excuses to raise taxes in every way and everything, they will raise your taxes.
A new business coming to town? They should pay their way in everything.
Tax, tax, tax any I mean any excuse to bloat his vision of bigger is better government. We should remember the disastrous 4 years Biden tax, tax, taxed us.